How to Love the Clothes You Wear

As this might be my last blog entry this year, I would like to wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a fabulous and glamorous 2011!

Whether you're due to attend a party, dinner or even a business event, the clothes you're wearing, or the way you carry yourself, is the first thing others will notice. In a lot of cases, people are unsure or nervous about how they look. In turn, these thoughts also affect how you feel about yourself. When you look in the mirror before you leave, are you impressed, or just going arghhhh....

Here are few tips on how to leave everyone who encountered you at any event BREATHLESS!! And all of this comes from you (with a little help from me.) 

Be a serious shopper. When picking out clothes, NEVER EVER buy a smaller or larger size. People often make the mistake of grabbing a blazer or jeans because they "assume" all size 10 trousers fit the same. They don't, so ALWAYS visit the fitting room before visiting the checkout desk. This will save valuable time and effort, especially if you run late for your event. We don't want anyone arriving, expecting everyone to be breathless with a saggy bottom or bulging bust.

Colour is important! Just because your favourite colour is green, does NOT by any means mean that you can wear it all the time. Change up a little. If you normally buy greens, browns and beige clothes, try on cerise pink! Most of the time all it takes is trying on something completely "out there" to discover your true fashionista inside. Also, don't be dull! Bright colours are in style all the time. Don't be scared to pair patterns with print! Just stick to the basic rule of thumb. Neutrals go with ANYTHING. So all your brown, nude, grays and creams can go with any color. Yes, I said any color. That also includes opposites like wearing a cream blazer, teal cardigan with a design and brown pants, with a bright red accent bag and red shoes.

ALWAYS ACCESSORIZE! The smallest piece of jewellery, the tiniest handbag, or the unique shoe often gets the most attention. Don't deny yourself! And don't spend a fortune. A lot of these little things are inexpensive and you can use with multiple outfits. You will always feel better if you outfit feels like it's complete. I also know a lot of people who will just say, "oh, I'm not a jewellery person" or "oh, I don't need a handbag". These statements may be true, but every outfit needs to be accented, and the ONLY way to do this is with accessories. Buy bulky necklaces for jeans and a black shirt. Get the little silver bag for the 8pm dinner with clients. Whatever you do, remember, the clothes are not the only thing that makes the outfit, the little things DO count!

ALWAYS TELL YOURSELF YOU LOOK GOOD! When you walk into a room, no matter how great your clothes look, if you're feeling nervous or unhappy with your look, EVERYONE notices. To eliminate this problem you must look inside. It's not always about what's on the outside. Best way to feel good about yourself? Look in the mirror on your way out the door and SMILE. It's that easy.

    

Don't forget step number 4! Honestly, feeling good equals looking good. So, if for one moment you feel fat, or ugly, or sloppy, then you will be. You create what other people see. If you walk around doubting and judging the way you look, it will show in your appearance. Remember the old quote, 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder'. Everyone is beautiful in their own unique way, and if you know that, you will be stunning each and every time you present yourself in public.

                                                        Good luck and remember... SMILE!

Dresses Over Trousers

So here is an early tip off for a new fashion trend to hit the shops early next year - wearing dresses over trousers (could call it 'drouser dressing').
Yes, you heard me right, this unlikely layering was all over the spring/summer 2011 catwalks and in my opinion is a very practical choice for day or night.

You might have to swap your skinnies or leggings for silky trousers with movement for a fluid look.


These two beauties from high street fashion favourites - Topshop and Miss Selfridge are just the ticket.

I have been wearing some of my summer tunics/dresses with light floaty trousers over the last few years and must say they are a great option for travelling and a perfect choice for chilly summer night when you don't fancy getting eaten alive by mosquitos!!


Great news for me then - updating my wardrobe won't cost me much!

Winter Wedding

My friend has just got invited to a wedding in January and she is panicking about what to wear.

 

The funny thing is that as soon as the thermometer drops into minus figures (single minus figures here in UK, but double minus figures in my home country - the Czech Republic), we pile on hundreds of cashmere jumpers, wear all sorts of coats, gillets, hats and gloves and are forced to wear Ugg boots 24/7, and this is how we stay until the spring arrives.

Obviously you can't go to a wedding dressed in a jumper, can you?!

 

So how do you inject some va-va-voom glamour to your winter wedding ensemble?

 

 

 

Opt for a dress with length to add drama and warmth (tights can be concealed underneath).

Go for beautiful sweeping gowns in vintage velvets (go for rich jewel tones) or silks.

Tip: be sure to underpin slinky fabrics with body sculpting lingerie.

 

 

 

Below is one of my favourites -

 Elyseon dress by Serbian designer Roksanda Ilincic (£1,490 at Selfridges).

A showstopping choice for the most special occasion. It offers glamour with a vintage twist. Featuring a sculpted neckline, this pure silk dress has flowing, pleat detailing from the neck to the hem. 

Dress also includes a detachable waist belt with black feather and beaded corsage detailing. 

Simply beautiful!

 

 

 

 

However, if you, like me, cannot afford the designer, why not pop into your local House of Fraser and snap this gorgeous Biba dress up while it's still available...

It is on SALE too..reduced from £165.00 to £135.00 - Bargain!!

Biba Biba Daphne bead embellished maxi gown has a V-neck with beaded butterfly design and sheer, floaty sleeves in a contrasting colour.

In rich purple silk, this floor-length dress is perfect for winter wedding and the party season not to mention a stand-out option for a black tie event.

 

 

 

A furry cover-up or short jacket will maximise the warmth and glamour factor.

Below on the left we have the Geraldine Colbert's sumptuous nude fox fur jacket

(£938.00 at www.matchesfashion.com ).

Of course there are plenty of cheaper options on the high street. Below on the right is

Irene Faux Fur Coat from Coast, £125.

This gorgeous faux fur jacket is a great way to wear the fur trend this season.

Sitting on your hips, it gives a modern twist to the timeless style of the fur coat.

With its stylish high necked collar it will keep all those autumn chills out, ready for those winter months ahead.

Available in black and ivory.

  

 If you want to try something different (and have Gisele Bundchen's legs) ,

look no further than gilded brocade for some serious opulence.

 

Add a fierce element with smokey eyes or super high heels. 

As they say: 'If you got it , flaunt it!'

 

Colour of the Year for 2011 is HONEYSUCKLE

So there you go...according to leading colour guide Pantone, 18-2120 Honeysuckle, a dynamic reddish pink, will be defining the mood of 2011 given its "uplifting" qualities.

So what do you think?  Like it or not?

I personally like the colour as it does look good on me. 

Apparently in times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating colour, that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues.

The colour translates especially well into fashion, cosmetics, and interiors due to its ability to liven up any drab ensemble or barren room. In particular, Pantone experts imagine the colour to work well on women's apparel and accessories, as well as on men's ties, shirts and sportswear.

For more than a decade, Pantone's Colour of the Year declarations have influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries including fashion, home and industrial design.

H&M has incorporated the Honeysuckle hue into their spring 2011 ready-to-wear lines so it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

I've just had a look on H&M UK website and the only thing I could find in that colour was this gorgeous loose-fitting blouse with smocking at the waist and a tab and button to adjust the length of the sleeves. 
You have 2 trends in 1 - leopard print and the right colour.  At £14.99 it's a bargain!

If you are not confident enough to wear the strong print, go for the more subtle option in light beige.

I'm off to do some more browsing to see if I can find some more Honeysuckle bargains!

Galliano's Christmas

While browsing through Vogue online I couldn't help but to stop and stare at the pictures and the video of the installation of John Galliano's amazing X-mas tree at Claridge's.

                                                     Galliano's sketch of his Christmas tree design.

JOHN GALLIANO is returning to Claridge's as he designs the hotel's Christmas tree for the second year running. Having been inspired by the ocean, Galliano's 2010 Under the Sea festive creation is made of sparkling silver leaves, pink coral, sea horses, fish anemones, starfish and jellyfish.

"The majestic beauty of Claridge's Art Deco interiors never fails to inspire me. I am thrilled to be invited to create a new tree for Christmas at Claridge's," says Galliano of the collaboration. "I wanted to create an underwater fantasy and have mixed pink corals, seahorses, anemones and jellyfish, all glinting like gem stones, swimming amidst the silver leaves. I hope we create something as sumptuous as its setting and this inspires a truly luxurious escape and a very festive season at Claridge's."

"Following Galliano's spectacular tree last year, we simply could not resist to see the new design which will keep London talking throughout the season," Thomas Kochs, Claridge's hotel manager tells us. "Both Claridge's and Dior are synonymous with timeless glamour and impeccable heritage and we look forward to celebrating the festive season together."     By Ella Alexander

                                 John Galliano's Dior Christmas tree in the foyer of Claridge's 
                                                                    © Rex Features

An elegant white creation that stemmed from the base of the hotel's sweeping foyer staircase, stalked by icy blue leopards along the way, the tree was shown off in all its festive glory to a fashion crowd.

Once you've done all the shopping why not experience the delicious and sophisticated Claridge's Festive Afternoon Tea. 

                                Claridge's Festive Afternoon Tea. Photographed by Paul Raeside

Comprising a selection of sandwiches (including Scottish oak smoked salmon on sour dough bread, organic egg mayonnaise and, organic cucumber and rocket with cream cheese on onion bread), apple and raisin scones with clotted cream and Marco Polo jelly and French pastries, add to the mix Christmas cake and stollen cake, not to mention a glass of Champagne. Yummy, yummy!

Visit www.claridges.co.uk for further information.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Winter Trends

Sitting in my office, looking out of the window - wow, winter has definitely arrived!

People ask me what they should be on the look out for this winter in terms of the trends and key pieces that they should be grabbing.

So here are some of my favourites:

CAPES

Capes are one of this season's biggest key pieces, camel capes in particular will be everywhere!
I've recently seen a gorgeous one in Zara Woman and in Asos's previous campaign modelled by the gorgeous Olivia Palmero-Stunning!

CAMEL

As previously mentioned above, camel is one of this season's hottest colours and is something that if you invest in now, you'll be able to utilise in your wardrobe for years to come as it's such a classic and beautiful feminine colour.

If you're worried about camel making you look pasty around the face as we start getting in to colder weather, then go for a pair of camel trousers rather than a top or jacket. However, if you fall in love with a camel jacket or coat but still worry that it's not flattering your skin tone, accessorise with a scarf or statement necklace to bring the colour back to your cheeks!

MINIMALISM

A huge trend on the a/w 10 catwalks was classic, simple, elegant lines and investment pieces that will remain your wardrobe heroes for years to come. Paris shows like Celine, Chloe and Stella McCartney showed feminine classic shapes in delicate hues that demonstrated how women are still being careful with their money whilst coming out of this recessions and looking to invest in the right pieces that will keep them looking stylish and modern for years to come.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Hiking style boots (I'm wearing mine today - there are perfect for the snow; your toes will freeze in wellies, well unless you have 10 pairs of socks on!), tweeds, riding boots, jodhpurs, padded jackets will be seen everywhere this season. Practical yet stylish this is a great trend for us school mums who need to get up and out in the morning; whilst staying warm and looking stylish at the school gates. Choose one or two key garments such as the boots and jodhpurs and then soften with something more feminine up top to avoid looking like you've just come from a horse riding lesson.

LEOPARD

One of my favourites but needs to be handled with care at the risk of looking very Bet Lynch from Coronation St!! Go for a skinny leopard belt or hairband and just team with all black or camel if you are at all concerned of looking too 'animal print'. Hobbs have a fantastic little leopard print belt that will update your wardrobe instantly.

If you want help from a Personal Stylist updating your wardrobe this season then get in touch with me on 07970 405 627.